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Title: On polarimetric radar signatures of deep convection for model evaluation: columns of specific differential phase observed during MC3E

Abstract

The representation of deep convection in general circulation models is in part informed by cloud-resolving models (CRMs) that function at higher spatial and temporal resolution; however, recent studies have shown that CRMs often fail at capturing the details of deep convection updrafts. With the goal of providing constraint on CRM simulation of deep convection updrafts, ground-based remote sensing observations are analyzed and statistically correlated for four deep convection events observed during the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E). Since positive values of specific differential phase observed above the melting level are associated with deep convection updraft cells, so-called columns are analyzed using two scanning polarimetric radars in Oklahoma: the National Weather Service Vance WSR-88D (KVNX) and the Department of Energy C-band Scanning Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Precipitation Radar (C-SAPR). KVNX and C-SAPR volumes and columns are then statistically correlated with vertical winds retrieved via multi-Doppler wind analysis, lightning flash activity derived from the Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array, and KVNX differential reflectivity . Results indicate strong correlations of volume above the melting level with updraft mass flux, lightning flash activity, and intense rainfall. Analysis of columns reveals signatures of changing updraft properties from one storm event to another as well asmore » during event evolution. Comparison of to shows commonalities in information content of each, as well as potential problems with associated with observational artifacts.« less

Authors:
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Science - Office of Biological and Environmental Research - Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program
OSTI Identifier:
1251170
DOE Contract Number:  
AC02-06CH11357
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Monthly Weather Review
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 144; Journal Issue: 2; Journal ID: ISSN 0027-0644
Publisher:
American Meteorological Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
Ocean Structure; Phenomena; Radar observations; Radars; Atm; Circulation; Convective storms; Dynamics; Lightning; Mathematical and statistical techniques; Observational techniques and algorithms; Pattern detection; Rainfall; Updrafts

Citation Formats

van Lier-Walqui, Marcus, Fridlind, Ann, Ackerman, Andrew S, Collis, Scott, Helmus, Jonathan, MacGorman, Donald R, North, Kirk, Kollias, Pavlos, and Posselt, Derek J. On polarimetric radar signatures of deep convection for model evaluation: columns of specific differential phase observed during MC3E. United States: N. p., 2016. Web. doi:10.1175/MWR-D-15-0100.1.
van Lier-Walqui, Marcus, Fridlind, Ann, Ackerman, Andrew S, Collis, Scott, Helmus, Jonathan, MacGorman, Donald R, North, Kirk, Kollias, Pavlos, & Posselt, Derek J. On polarimetric radar signatures of deep convection for model evaluation: columns of specific differential phase observed during MC3E. United States. https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-15-0100.1
van Lier-Walqui, Marcus, Fridlind, Ann, Ackerman, Andrew S, Collis, Scott, Helmus, Jonathan, MacGorman, Donald R, North, Kirk, Kollias, Pavlos, and Posselt, Derek J. 2016. "On polarimetric radar signatures of deep convection for model evaluation: columns of specific differential phase observed during MC3E". United States. https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-15-0100.1.
@article{osti_1251170,
title = {On polarimetric radar signatures of deep convection for model evaluation: columns of specific differential phase observed during MC3E},
author = {van Lier-Walqui, Marcus and Fridlind, Ann and Ackerman, Andrew S and Collis, Scott and Helmus, Jonathan and MacGorman, Donald R and North, Kirk and Kollias, Pavlos and Posselt, Derek J},
abstractNote = {The representation of deep convection in general circulation models is in part informed by cloud-resolving models (CRMs) that function at higher spatial and temporal resolution; however, recent studies have shown that CRMs often fail at capturing the details of deep convection updrafts. With the goal of providing constraint on CRM simulation of deep convection updrafts, ground-based remote sensing observations are analyzed and statistically correlated for four deep convection events observed during the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E). Since positive values of specific differential phase observed above the melting level are associated with deep convection updraft cells, so-called columns are analyzed using two scanning polarimetric radars in Oklahoma: the National Weather Service Vance WSR-88D (KVNX) and the Department of Energy C-band Scanning Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Precipitation Radar (C-SAPR). KVNX and C-SAPR volumes and columns are then statistically correlated with vertical winds retrieved via multi-Doppler wind analysis, lightning flash activity derived from the Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array, and KVNX differential reflectivity . Results indicate strong correlations of volume above the melting level with updraft mass flux, lightning flash activity, and intense rainfall. Analysis of columns reveals signatures of changing updraft properties from one storm event to another as well as during event evolution. Comparison of to shows commonalities in information content of each, as well as potential problems with associated with observational artifacts.},
doi = {10.1175/MWR-D-15-0100.1},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1251170}, journal = {Monthly Weather Review},
issn = {0027-0644},
number = 2,
volume = 144,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2016},
month = {Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2016}
}